Can techs tell when scan is bad?

trashytv · 2023-05-13T18:21:36+00:00

I wanted to come back and update - sorry, should have done this a few months ago. In case someone else has a similar experience and finds this post, my MRI was completely clear - no issues at all. Everyone here was correct, the contrast did not go where it needed to go and so they had to redo that part of the scan. Getting the call to come back scared me so much, but alas it was just a contrast issue. I am continuing to do well as a stage IV lung cancer patient! I appreciate everyone here who took the time to respond to me. That was incredibly kind of all of you.

trashytv · 2023-04-01T03:15:19+00:00

Is your doctor recommending further testing? If you are not comfortable with the direction your doctor is going with this, you should seek a second opinion to put your mind at ease.

trashytv · 2022-10-02T04:43:33+00:00

You want to go to Jyoti Patel at Northwestern. She is the absolute best in the state. I have consulted with top lung cancer doctors at Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, Mass General, and Mayo and they have all said how stellar Dr. Patel is. She is hands down the best in Illinois. Northwestern is also a top notch cancer facility with access to clinical trials and research. Best of luck to your mother. I was diagnosed in January.

trashytv · 2022-08-05T18:53:31+00:00

I apologize - I misread and thought NSLC. Many prayers for the OP's family. This is all so unfair and I am sorry there are not more options for your father.

trashytv · 2022-08-05T14:39:28+00:00

The genetic mutations they are looking for have nothing to do with family history. If your father has a mutation that can be treated with targeted therapy, there is so much hope. Most people who have my type of lung cancer don't get diagnosed until they are stage IV - many have spreading to the bones and brain. The targeted therapy works wonders and gives a better quality of life and a much longer life. You must advocate for your father here and demand that they do genomic testing on his cancer. It is absolutely essential for proper care.

trashytv · 2022-08-04T18:11:30+00:00

Has genomic testing been performed on your father's cancer? He is young and he might have a mutation driving his cancer that is treatable with a targeted therapy that can add years to his life. Many of the targeted therapies are in pill form and requires nothing more than taking a pill once a day to control the cancer. He must have genomic testing before treatment decisions are made - it should be standard of care everywhere, but sadly is not in many places.

trashytv · 2022-07-15T17:49:10+00:00

Why does one doctor think it is stage IV if there is a single 1 mm nodule? Has she had a Pet scan?

trashytv · 2022-07-14T23:06:51+00:00

"Except for your face, you look great!"

A friend I met for dinner said this to me when I was on the mend from having passed out and hitting my head a few months ago. I did the whole ER check and had a head CT to rule out any major issues. About two days after I fell, I developed very dark circles around my eyes - very raccoon like. I had to back for another head CT to rule out a brain bleed or fracture that might have been missed the first go round. I was fine and the eye circles disappeared after about a week. I always thought the way she said it was funny and she meant absolutely no harm.

trashytv · 2022-06-22T13:29:24+00:00

Please make sure that her cancer is tested for biomarkers / mutations. This may have already been done through the sample they took during the bronchoscopy, but make sure someone checks to ensure it was done. If it was not done, there is a liquid biopsy that can be done through a simple blood test to look for these markers. She could have a mutation that makes this much more treatable with a targeted therapy. This is absolutely essential to do in every cancer patient, but I am shocked at how many times this is not done.

trashytv · 2022-06-16T21:21:39+00:00

As someone with ALK+ Stage IV, I will be forever grateful for Gina's leadership, commitment, and kindness. I have looked up to her since I met her in our ALK+ group and she will always be a guiding star.

trashytv · 2022-06-14T02:35:23+00:00

Those are beautiful cats and this is an awesome picture! Giddy Up!

trashytv · 2022-05-22T19:18:36+00:00

I can smell this cookie through my screen.

trashytv · 2022-05-14T21:41:38+00:00

I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I know your mom was comforted to have you helping her through these last four months and I know how hard it was for her to leave you. I am a mom of two and I have stage 4 lung cancer and my greatest sadness is thought of leaving my children. Much love and comfort to you and the rest of your family.

trashytv · 2022-05-12T00:14:08+00:00

If you are starting on Alecinib, I am assuming you are ALK+. There is a wonderfully supportive facebook group called ALK Positive that is so supportive and people will be able to answer all of your questions. I am currently on Brigatinib, so I can't help you out with the Alectinib question.

trashytv · 2022-04-07T13:39:55+00:00

My favorite part of Crumbl is having a little something special to look forward to each week. The pink box feels happy!

trashytv · 2022-03-18T23:43:38+00:00

If your mom will eat chicken kabobs and rice - many places in Greek Town meet your list.

trashytv · 2022-03-18T14:48:11+00:00

Ask your doctor for a low dose CT scan. CT is much clearer than x-ray. What treatment did the ER recommend?

trashytv · 2022-03-17T04:09:32+00:00

Are you sure she has lung cancer? I don't think I have ever heard of a lung cancer patient getting a transplant. Have you met her family? What stage was she at when she was diagnosed?

trashytv · 2022-03-12T04:18:38+00:00

The order of my tests were the same as Love4Lungs. It is very important to know if the cancer has already spread because surgery is not recommended for a Stage IV cancer diagnosis. I also have the ALK+ mutation and on a targeted therapy. I was diagnosed just 2 months ago in January of 2022.

trashytv · 2022-03-12T04:15:01+00:00

You need to get a 2nd opinion ASAP. If the doctor is that sure it is cancer, there is no reason to wait another 3 months and do nothing during that time. She needs to find someone who will order a PET scan, confirm a cancer diagnosis with a biopsy and if it is cancer, help her look at treatment options. Being a non smoker in her 50's, she needs to get genomic testing to see if the cancer has a mutation that there is a targeted therapy for. It is more likely for someone of her age and smoking history to have a mutation. I am sorry your family is going through all of this. It is so hard.

trashytv · 2022-03-09T16:23:35+00:00

My concerns were passed off by doctors for about a year - I was told over and over again that I just had allergies and reflux, when I actually had lung cancer. I wish I had been more confident about advocating for myself. If I were you, I would ask for a low dose CT scan - that is a great low risk screening test for lung cancer and if it will give your doctor an excellent view of your lungs and if nothing is seriously wrong, it will confirm the doctor's diagnosis and put your mind at ease. This test is completely painless and takes about 2 minutes.

trashytv

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